Briefs

+ Rare wasps generate more local buzz
Lafayette College Professor Chuck Holliday received a photograph of an insect that he confirmed was a Caribbean cicada killer, which was taken at G.T. Bray Park, in Bradenton, after a man read about the Caribbean cicada killer wasps found on Longboat Key in the Longboat Observer. The initial wasps were found at the Sabal Cove home of Matt and Margaret Callihan. Holliday traveled from Easton, Pa., to Longboat Key to observe the wasps, because the species had never been reported in the area. To report possible Caribbean cicada killer wasps, email Holliday at [email protected] and, if possible, include a digital photograph.

+ PIC takes stance on Longboat’s budget
The Longboat Key Public Interest Committee has taken an official position on the town’s 2011-12 preliminary budget.

Noting that the town is within 1.5% ($224,000) of being balanced, PIC is taking the following position:

“PIC Board member Lenny Landau presented to the Town Commission a list of nine of 70 expense line items totaling approximately $1.5 million as an example of where he felt that the town staff could save the needed $224,000 through appropriate managerial action, with no adverse impact on services. If the staff is unable to balance the budget with the listed items, there are many other items to consider. While the shortfall is small, PIC urges the Town Commission to stay the course and manage the town affairs without seeking a tax-rate increase. Reducing town expenses through proactive managerial cost control, does not have to mean ‘reducing services.’”

+ South Carolina man dies in parasailing accident
A South Carolina man died off the shores of Longboat Key Monday in a parasailing accident.
David Sierazki, 31, crashed into the water about 5:30 p.m. Monday and did not respond to life-saving measures the U.S. Coast Guard performed on him.

+ Holiday affects Key’s garbage schedule
The town of Longboat Key’s garbage and recycling will be picked up Tuesday, July 5, as a result of the July 4 holiday. Town Hall and its various departments will be closed Monday, July 4 and will re-open at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 5.

+ Correction
The Our Town photo last week of John Wild and his dog, Riley, was not taken at the Longboat Key Kiwanis Club meeting but at the July 23 Longboat Key Town Commission regular workshop, at Town Hall.

+ Subcommittee meetings formed
A Longboat Key subcommittee formed to create a mission statement and business concept for the town will meet at least twice in July.

Planning, Zoning and Building Director Monica Simpson scheduled meetings for 9 a.m. Tuesday, July 12 and Wednesday, July 13, at Town Hall.

Vice Mayor David Brenner, Commissioners Jack Duncan and Pat Zunz, as well as Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board Chairwoman B.J. Webb and planning board member Leonard Garner will select two Key residents to also serve on a subcommittee formed to create a 25-year vision for all aspects of the island.

+ First turtle nests hatch on Longboat and Siesta
The first sea-turtle nests of 2011 hatched earlier this week on Longboat and Siesta keys.

The year’s first hatch was documented Tuesday, June 21, on the Sarasota County side of Longboat Key. The next day, one nest was documented on the Manatee County side of Longboat Key, while another nest was found on Siesta Key.

According to Mote Marine Laboratory scientists, this year’s hatchlings emerged on schedule.

Meetings & Agendas

• Town Commission Budget Workshop — 9 a.m. Monday, July 11.
• Code Enforcement Board Regular Meeting — 10 a.m. Monday, July 11.
• Town Commission Regular Meeting — 7 p.m. Monday, July 11.

All meetings take place at Town Hall, 501 Bay Isles Road.